Canadian Company To Acquire Majority Shares In Barbados-Based SOL Investments Limited

CALGARY, Canada, October 10, 2018 (CMC) – Canada’s largest independent marketers of fuel and petroleum products, Parkland Fuel Corporation (Parkland), announced, today, that it had entered into an agreement with the Barbados-based SOL Investments Limited (SIL) to acquire 75 percent of its operations.

SOL, a privately-held company, owned by the Simpson Group, is the largest independent fuel marketer in the Caribbean, with SIL being a wholly-owned subsidiary of SOL Limited.

SOL supplies and markets a total of 4.8 billion liters of fuel volume, annually, across 23 countries in the Caribbean, and generated US$215 million in adjusted earnings before taxes, depreciation and amortization, in the 12-month period ending June 2018.

According to a statement, issued here, the transaction will result in Parkland acquiring 75 percent of the issued and outstanding shares, in the capital of SIL, for an estimated US$1.21 billion, plus customary post-closing adjustments on a cash-free and debt-free basis.

SOL Limited will acquire 12.16 million common shares in the capital of Parkland.

“Upon closing the Simpson Group, through its ownership in SOL Limited, will own approximately 9.9 percent of the issued and outstanding shares in Parkland, and its intention is to remain a long-term investor in Parkland,” Parkland said in a statement.

The statement added that the remaining 25 percent of the shares, outstanding in SIL, are subject to the Minority Purchase/Sale Right, to which Parkland may elect to acquire, or SOL Limited may elect to sell, the remaining shares in the capital of SIL.

“With its integrated supply chain, backed by an extensive distribution network, fortress assets, a premier brand portfolio and an exceptional team, SOL has built a strong market position with unparalleled regional scale. Together, Parkland and SOL create a significant North American and Caribbean growth platform,” he said.

“We are delighted to partner with the Simpson Group, and welcome the opportunity to work with SOL’s strong management team, to optimize and grow SOL’s industry-leading retail and supply network, through our combined scale and expertise,” the CEO added.

The founder of SOL, Sir Kyffin Simpson, said he was “exceptionally pleased to announce the coming together of Parkland and SOL, which will ensure an exciting and dynamic future for everyone”.

“With a desire to continue to develop and grow the business, through expansion in new areas, I am extremely blessed to bring in our good friends Parkland of Canada to the Caribbean.

“I have long admired Parkland, as a company, with their futuristic vision and energy, and I have been tremendously impressed with Bob Espey’s strong leadership, along with his exceptional management team,” Sir Kyffin added.

He said that he is “truly confident that this coming together with the fantastic team at SOL will be a complementary blend of cultures, ideas, technology and innovation”.

“I am convinced that Parkland and SOL are perfectly matched to develop new and exciting opportunities, with renewed energy that will provide excellent avenues for the development of our people that will, in turn, enhance our customer experience and open new doors for great synergies and improved logistics,” he added.

“With 43 million people and a gross domestic product (GDP) of more than US$200 billion, this is the perfect time to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities that abound in the Caribbean.”

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